Abstract
In light of the wave of attacks on constitutional freedoms and rights in the 1980s, it is perhaps an opportune moment to reflect on the arguments offered in support of broad discretion granted to local school boards in determining the contents of school library shelves. Students, especially those in secondary school, are guaranteed constitutional rights; those rights, however, are balanced against the competing interests of a community in general or a school board in particular. In this article we will examine this balance as it has been struck in the courts and we will argue that a more enlightened conception of community interest would involve narrower discretion in school board and community actions.